Hippocampus zosterae Jordan & Gilbert, 1882
Dwarf seahorse
Hippocampus zosterae
photo by Sandra J. Raredon / Smithsonian Institution, NMNH, Div. of Fishes

Family:  Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses), subfamily: Syngnathinae
Max. size:  5 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 1 years
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 10 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Bermuda, southern Florida (USA), Bahamas and the entire Gulf of Mexico.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-12. Description: (based on 31 specimens): Adult height: 2-2.5cm. Rings: 9-10+31-32. Snout length: 4.2-4.3 in head length. Dorsal fin rays: 12 covering 2+0 rings. Pectoral fin rays: 11-12. Coronet: high, columnar or knob-like, without spines or projections. Spines: low or knob-like. Other distinctive characters: short snout <1/3 head length; skin often covered in tiny warts. Color pattern: beige, yellow, green, black; mottling variable (distinct to absent); may have white markings like splashes of paint; some specimens with dark spots.
Biology:  Shallow grass flats, especially in association with Zostera and other seagrass; periodically found in floating vegetation. Diurnal, males more site faithful than females. Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Specimens lose their skin filaments in aquaria (Ref. 30915). Has been reared in captivity (Ref. 35420). Maximum depth reported taken from Ref. 128812.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 03 October 2016 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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